Marine Conservation in a Changing Climate

How do we manage and protect marine systems in a changing world?

Even without the threat of climate change, destructive fishing
practices, massive coastal development, and the movement of invasive
species and new diseases degrade global marine environments. Marine
organisms and ecosystems are some of the most beloved and fantastical
places on the face of our planet. They house organisms that are as
foreign and as beautiful as aliens from a distant world. The oceans
provides us with economic industries, shipping and travel, tourism and
adventure. Our generation has the responsibility to steward and
protect the global ocean, even in the daunting face of a changing
climate. If we do not act now, much of what we cherish about the ocean
will vanish.

The question that naturally arises is how? How do we
protect marine ecosystems when we are only beginning to understand how
these places function? How do we combat such a vast process as climate
change when we still are unsure how it will change our world in the
next 100 years? These are questions that all marine conservationists
ask themselves. And while answers to these questions maybe not readily
apparent, are extremely important.

Climate change in the ocean can be addresses with the same
effective tools as many other threats to marine life. The establishment
of global networks of no-take marine reserves is an important step.
Ecosystems that are healthy and robust will have a greater capacity to
withstand and show resiliency in the face of oncoming climate change.
Adaptive management is critical. Managers and scientists need the
capacity to react progressively to changing oceanographic regimes,
coral bleaching and other climate-generated processes. Predictive
capacity also needs to be developed. Global climate model,
oceanographic models and predictive SST and sea level rise maps are
incredible tools to help conservationists target the most immediately
threatened ecosystems and organisms.

Marine Conservation Institute is working hard to development the new tools that are
necessary in a future of progressive climate change. With the help of
other conservations organizations, policy makers, marine managers and
scientists, Marine Conservation Institute is working at the forefront the new field of global
climate conservation and advocacy. The preservation of ocean systems
is critical for the health of our planet into the future.